French firm buys Esdevium chunk

The games distributor and publisher has operations in France, Spain, Germany, Benelux and North America.

Esdevium is the exclusive UK distributor for Asmodee’s portfolio of specialty games, and shares a large number of key suppliers and has other links with the firm.

No changes are planned for Esdevium’s management or operations.

"Our agreement ensures that the entire Esdevium management team will remain in place for many years to come," said Daniel Steel, managing director of Esdevium Games.

"We will continue with business as usual, but with the benefit of even greater resources and wider horizons."

Asmodee group managing director, Pierre Gaubil, added: "With games distribution and publication operations in Germany, Spain, Belgium, and North America, as well as our native France and now the UK, Asmodee will consolidate its European coverage. We believe that we can serve our European customers better, and offer our suppliers a one-stop distribution solution for Europe.

"We know that every marketplace is different, and we’re relying on the expertise of Esdevium’s great team of directors and managers to continue its success and drive its ongoing growth in the UK.

"Building Esdevium over the past 20 years has been an exciting and gratifying experience," Daniel Steel commented.

"This investment by Asmodee takes us to the next level in terms of resources and growth potential. I personally look forward to this new phase in the company’s future."

Since the '70s, board games specialist Esdevium has grown into a diverse supplier of toys, from trading cards to collectables and hobby games – and it’s growing further. Dominic Sacco speaks to MD Daniel Steel and marketing exec Ben Hogg about the firm’s exciting slate of products.